Processing systems and methods of controlling same

Abstract

The described embodiments relate to processing systems and means for controlling processing systems. One exemplary method includes sensing for a human presence in a region proximate a processing system independently of any human engagement of the processing system. The method further includes generating a signal based on the sensing; and, controlling at least one user-perceptible output of the processing system based, at least in part, on the signal.

1 . A method comprising: 
 sensing for a human presence in a region proximate a processing system independently of any human engagement of the processing system;    generating a signal based on said sensing; and,    controlling at least one user-perceptible output of the processing system based, at least in part, on said signal.    
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said act of sensing comprises sensing the region from which a user can view a visual output of the processing system.  
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said act of controlling comprises muting an audio output associated with the processing system when the human presence is detected.  
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said act of controlling comprises blanking a display device associated with the processing system when the human presence is detected.  
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said act of controlling comprises blanking a display device associated with the processing system when the human presence is not detected.  
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said act of controlling comprises blanking a display device associated with the processing system if the human presence is not detected for a period of time.  
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said act of controlling comprises powering-up at least a portion of the processing system when a user is detected after a period when no user had been detected.  
   
   
       8 . A method comprising: 
 defining a region proximate a processing system and within which a user enters to use the processing system;    detecting a user who has entered the region; and,    responsive to said detecting and independent of a user physically engaging the processing system, causing an effect on a display device associated with the processing system.    
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said defining comprises defining the region from which a visual image created by the processing system can be viewed by the user.  
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said causing comprises powering-up the display device when the user is detected.  
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said causing comprises powering-up the display device from a stand-by mode to an active mode when the user is detected.  
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said causing comprises powering-up at least a portion of the processing system when the user is detected.  
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said causing comprises powering-down the display device when the user is not detected.  
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said causing comprises powering-down the display device when the user is not detected for a predetermined period of time.  
   
   
       15 . A display device comprising: 
 a means for creating a user-perceptible image which is viewable from a region proximate the display device;    a means for generating a signal relating to a user being present in the region; and,    a means for affecting the user-perceptible image based, at least in part, on the signal.    
   
   
       16 . The display device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the means for affecting comprises a means for processing which is positioned in the display device.  
   
   
       17 . The display device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the means for affecting comprises a means for processing which is positioned in a means for remotely controlling the display device.  
   
   
       18 . The display device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the means for generating a signal comprises a sensor.  
   
   
       19 . The display device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the means for creating a user-perceptible image comprises a digital device.  
   
   
       20 . The display device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the means for creating a user-perceptible image comprises a liquid crystal display.  
   
   
       21 . The display device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the means for creating a user-perceptible image comprises an analog device.  
   
   
       22 . The display device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the means for creating a user-perceptible image comprises a cathode ray tube.  
   
   
       23 . A control device comprising: 
 a means for generating a sensing signal for determining a presence of a human in a region; and,    a means for generating a control signal for controlling a user-perceptible output of a processing system based, at least in part, on the sensing signal.    
   
   
       24 . A control device as recited in  claim 23  further comprising a means for allowing a user to control one or more processing devices of the processing system.  
   
   
       25 . A control device comprising: 
 a sensor configured to generate a first signal relating to a human presence in a region proximate the sensor; and,    a controller configured to cause a second signal to be generated to control a user-perceptible output of a processing system based at least in part on the first signal.    
   
   
       26 . The control device as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the control device comprises a remote control device.  
   
   
       27 . The control device as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect movement.  
   
   
       28 . The control device as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a change between a first set of sensed data and a second subsequent set of sensed data.  
   
   
       29 . The control device as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the control device is further manipulatable by a user to control one or more processing devices of the processing system.  
   
   
       30 . A processing system comprising: 
 a display device comprising a first processor and configured to generate a visual display perceptible by a user positioned in a region proximate the display device; and,    at least one sensor coupled to the display device and configured to sense a human presence in the region independent of the human physically engaging the processing system, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to create a signal and wherein the visual display of the display device can be affected by the signal.    
   
   
       31 . The processing system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the at least one sensor is located on the display device generally above the visual display.  
   
   
       32 . The processing system as recited in  claim 30  further comprising a second device coupled to the display device and wherein the second device contains a second processor and wherein a processing speed of the second processor can be affected by the signal.  
   
   
       33 . The processing system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the second device comprises a tower.  
   
   
       34 . The processing system as recited in  claim 32  comprising a personal computer.  
   
   
       35 . A processing system comprising: 
 a means for generating a visual image; and,    at least one means for sensing coupled to the means for generating and configured to sense a human presence in a region, wherein the means for sensing is configured to generate a signal relating to the human presence and wherein the visual image can be affected by the signal.    
   
   
       36 . The processing system as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the means for sensing is positioned on the means for generating a visual image.  
   
   
       37 . The processing system as recited in  claim 35  further comprising a means for remotely controlling the means for generating a visual image and wherein the means for sensing is positioned on the means for remotely controlling.